Grocery stores and a local restaurant are reaching out to Catholic Charities, along with FeedMore of Western New York, to share their excess

Yesterday, Catholic Charities food pantry staff, as well as employees from its Workforce and Education and Immigration and Refugee Assistance Program, pitched in to pick up and sort eggs, pastries, vegetables, fruit and more for distribution to​the agency’s nine food pantries in three counties (Erie, Cattaraugus and Allegany).

More than 500 dozen eggs and other items were donated by a local restaurant. The eggs needed to be broken down into individual cartons. All other food was sorted, too, for distribution to the agency’s pantries in Buffalo (four), Getzville, Kenmore, Lackawanna, Franklinville and Wellsville.

Local restaurants and stores are contacting either Catholic Charities directly or working through FeedMore of Western New York to offer contributions of food.

Eileen Nowak, Catholic Charities Parish Outreach and Advocacy Director, oversees Catholic Charities’ nine food pantries and said, “We are so grateful for these donations; they will keep our pantries serving our communities, especially since FeedMore has designated us as hub pantries, which are prepared to provide emergency relief to anyone in need, regardless of their area of residence.”

She also recognized all the employees within Catholic Charities coming together to provide seamless pantry service.

“We are fortunate to have staff from other departments who are willing and able to come in and help during this time of discord. They came with energy and compassion for the needs of others. Our department staff is always dedicated to those we serve, but even with all the current mental and physical strain, they come in daily ready to do all they can and never complain.”

Updates on how Catholic Charities is helping during the COVID-19 outbreak and any program changes can be found daily at ccwny.org.

Food & Nutrition

Catholic Charities believes that access to proper nutrition, that is balanced and culturally appropriate, is a basic human right. CCUSA supports our Catholic Charities agencies both through advocacy and education; assisting our network to take full advantage of food support programs and grant opportunities.